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Washington State University Instructor Suspended After Alleged Assault Over Pro-Trump Hat

Patrick Mahoney and Gerald Hoff face assault charges following an altercation with student Jay Sani, highlighting tensions over political expression on campus.

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Overview

  • Patrick Mahoney, a Washington State University instructor, allegedly grabbed engineering student Jay Sani's pro-Trump hat and threw it into the street before escalating the confrontation.
  • The incident reportedly involved Mahoney and Gerald Hoff taking Sani to the ground, with Mahoney slamming Sani's head into the pavement, causing injuries.
  • Both Mahoney and Hoff were arrested and charged with fourth-degree assault by Pullman Police and have since been released pending legal proceedings.
  • Washington State University has suspended Mahoney, barring him from teaching duties while the case proceeds.
  • The altercation underscores broader national debates on political polarization and free expression, particularly on university campuses.